Venezuela’s transition to a post-Hugo Chávez era got off to an unpromising start yesterday after the White House declared that an audit of the tightly contested presidential election was an “important, prudent and necessary step”.

The White House made its remarks as authorities in Caracas said that Nicolás Maduro, the acting president, would soon be formally declared the winner of Sunday’s vote.

Mr Maduro, the late President’s chosen heir, apparently limped to victory with only a 1.6 per cent majority as his opponent accused him of fraud.